Biden Casts Doubt On Iranian Election Results
Appearing on Meet The Press, Vice President Biden express doubt regarding the re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. “It sure looks like the way they’re suppressing speech, the way they’re suppressing crowds, the way in which people are being treated, that there’s some real doubt,” said Biden. He added: “I have doubts but we’re going to withhold comment until we have a thorough review of the whole process and (see) how they react in the aftermath.”
Biden: “Everyone Guessed Wrong” On Economic Figures
Also during his Meet The Press interview, Vice President Biden said that “everyone guessed wrong” on the impact of the economic stimulus. Biden’s explanation was that White House economists used standard formulas to estimate that the stimulus program would save or create 3.5 million jobs — but in fact the economy was really worse off than anyone thought. Biden promised that with money now flowing out of Washington to states and cities, there would be 600,000 new jobs in the coming months.
Sebelius: Public Option Can Support Competitive Market
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said that a public option for health care could be structured in such a way as to fairly compete in the marketplace and lower costs for everyone. “Choice and competition is what we want,” said Sebelius. She added. “The president does not want to dismantle privately owned plans. He doesn’t want the 180 million people who have employer coverage to lose that coverage. He wants to strengthen the marketplace.”
McConnell: Public Option A “Non-Starter” For Republicans
Appearing on CBS’ Face The Nation, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blasted the idea of a public option. “I think that, for virtually every Republican, a government plan is a non-starter. There are a whole lot of other things we can agree to do on a bipartisan basis that will dramatically improve our system,” he said. “But we already have the best health care in the world. We know it costs a lot, but we have the best health care in the world. And I don’t think many Americans want to start having to, you know, wait in line and start getting government permission for procedures.”
Lieberman Opposes Public Option
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) expressed his opposition to a public option on health care. “I don’t favor a public option,” said Lieberman. “And I don’t favor a public option because I think there’s plenty of competition in the private insurance market.” He also said that the Senate is in reach of a bipartisan majority for universal health insurance — but that “The one thing that will stop that is pressure on the so-called public option.”
Dodd Opposes Taxing Health Benefits
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) came out against taxation of health benefits in order to finance reform. This “is unnecessary,” said Dodd. “I feel very strongly about this as many do as well.” Instead, Dodd said lawmakers should look at President Obama’s new proposals to cut costs, as well as other proposals on prevention in order to reduce the price of health care.
Romney: Obama “Apologizing For America” Isn’t Working
Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Mitt Romney attacked President Obama on foreign policy. “It’s very clear that the president’s policies of going around the world and apologizing for America aren’t working,” said Romney. “North Korea is not just saber rattling. They’ve taken the saber out of the sheath. Iran is moving headlong towards nuclearization. Russia is on the same course they were on. And all of the apologies that he provided to the Europeans have not led any of the European nations to provide additional support for us in Afghanistan.”
Grassley Defends Twittering
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) defended a controversial Twitter post in which he attacked President Obama for telling Congress to work on health care, while Obama was sightseeing with his family in Paris. “We’ve had a dialogue with this president since January the 20th on a program to get a bill to the floor,” said Grassley. He added: “And (for) the president to say that we ought to deliver it made it look like Congress wasn’t working — the very weekend that we were working Saturday and Sunday in Washington to keep on schedule while he was sightseeing.”
